In January 2001, Laurent Kabila, the then president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was murdered. Over 50 alleged conspirators remain jailed in Kinshasa’s Makala Prison, but even Kabila’s own ministers do not believe they are guilty.

Seventeen African nations gained their independence in 1960, but the dreams of the independence era were short-lived.

Africa states of independence tells the story of some of those countries – stories of mass exploitation, of the ecstasy of independence and of how – with liberation – a new, covert scramble for resources was born.

Rwandans are preparing to vote for their country’s presidential election as campaigning comes to an end.

Paul Kagame, the incumbent president and candidate for the ruling party, has gained massive popularity from both ethnic Tutsis and Hutus who recognise his leading role in boosting the country’s economy.

But more and more people are questioning his record on democracy amidst claims of a violent crackdown on opposition supporters in the run up to the election.

This past December, Rageh Omaar from Al Jazeera did an extremely informative documentary on AFRICOM, the United States new initiative in Africa. It sheds light of little known aspects of American foreign policy in the Africa — our involvement in Somalia, Cameroon, Uganda and yes Sudan. Watch it below.

The Sudan Tribune is reporting that the Sudanese government arrested “SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and his deputy Yassir Arman”, opposition leaders from the Sudanese People Liberation Movement (SPLM). In addition, Al Jazeera was prevented from covering the demonstration and had their tapes confiscated.

The detention of these SPLM leaders is a troublesome sign that the upcoming elections in Sudan in April 2010 will not be free and fair.

UPDATE: The leaders along with 500 other protesters have now been released.

UPDATE on Tuesday, December 7th: I’m glad the US State Dept has condemned the use of violence against the protesters. Here is what General Scott Gration had to say.

“I am deeply concerned about these developments and urge all parties to exercise restraint. Negotiations on issues of urgent importance to all of the Sudanese people cannot proceed in an atmosphere of intimidation.”

Hundreds of people in northern Sudan have protested against the construction of a dam that is being built over the Nile, the world’s longest river. The Nubian population of northern Sudan is already familiar with having their hometowns flooded by government-approved reservoirs.